Who on the Utah Jazz is a breakout candidate for next season?
Sep 2, 2026, 2:38 PM
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz stands on the court during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz are widely considered one of the teams most likely to make a big jump in the 2026-27 NBA season.
In a recent ESPN article, Utah and Indiana tied for first as teams expected to rise in the standings. The acquisitions of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Darryn Peterson are sure to help with that mission. But a transition into competitiveness will also require some big improvements from inside the building.
Let’s take a look at which returning Jazz players could do just that.
The Utah Jazz are tied for first on ESPN’s list of teams set to make a jump next season. pic.twitter.com/V2htAhVHD7
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 1, 2026
What Do Jazz Fans Think?
Before putting this article together, I polled Jazz fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, to get their thoughts on some breakout candidates.
Far and away the most popular answer was Ace Bailey. The second-year forward received more than four times as many votes as any other option.
In order, following Bailey were Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski. Blake Hinson and Svi Mykhailiuk also received votes.
Utah Jazz Breakout Candidates
Ace Bailey
2025-26 season stats: 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists on 44.3/34.4/75.0 shooting splits (72 games played)
Bailey’s first year was interesting, to say the least.
He came into the season with an illness, and shot a combined 8-for-32 across his first five games. It wasn’t until about a week into November that he finally got his legs under him and scored in double figures for four straight games.
From there, his rookie campaign took off. Still, he was overshadowed a bit by storylines both surrounding the Jazz and his rookie class as a whole.
Across his 72 games played last season, he scored 10 or more points 51 times, 20 or more points 16 times, and he recorded five or more rebounds 27 times. Also, he posted at least one of every major stat in 17 games, had three or more stocks in 12 games, and had eight or more assists and rebounds in 25 games.
The point is, from very early on, Bailey has shown an ability to fill the stat sheet. With a year of development and experience under his belt, a year two jump is absolutely in the cards for Ace.
Which Jazz player do you think is most likely to make a jump this season? 📈
Doesn’t have to be an All-Star jump, could just be from the fringes to a key rotation piece. pic.twitter.com/XCIG1mAdzv
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) August 29, 2026
Keyonte George
2025-26 season stats: 23.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists on 45.6/37.1/89.2 shooting splits (54 games played)
If George met the 65 games played threshold last season, he would’ve been in the conversation for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. That doesn’t mean that he can’t continue to climb in year four.
Improving on his 24 points and six assists a night would be tough, but George still absolutely has room to grow on this Jazz team. Most notably, on the defensive end.
As the team’s starting point guard, he has the chance to set the tone with an abundance of opportunity. Finding the right balance between scoring and playmaking will be key for Utah as they look to make a postseason push for the first time in George’s young career.
The performance and impact provided by George on a night-to-night basis will likely be an X-Factor for the Jazz.
Isaiah Collier
2025-26 season stats: 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists on 49.5/27.0/72.2 shooting splits (59 games played)
From one point guard to another, Collier will also have an important role on the 2026-27 Utah Jazz as the only true one coming off the bench.
Collier had excellent counting stats last season. With development in some pivotal areas, notably shooting and defense, he could absolutely become one of the best second-unit players in the association next year.
He is a walking paint touch and probably the best passer on the team. He had 10 games with double-digit assists last season, including a ridiculous 17-point and 22-assist performance against the Pacers in February.
That said, the lack of a consistent jump shot impedes his ability to keep defenders honest and fully leverage his elite passing. Regardless, second-unit specialists are important and Collier is absolutely a candidate to make a jump in year three.
🏀 TUESDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Isaiah Collier becomes the youngest player in NBA history to record 20+ AST as the @utahjazz win on the road!
Lauri Markkanen: 27 PTS
Brice Sensabaugh: 20 PTS, 5 AST, 4 3PM
Jarace Walker: 24 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
Quenton Jackson: 24 PTS (9-10 FGM), 3… https://t.co/XlrTyjm11z pic.twitter.com/77zU4pSYbX— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2026
Brice Sensabaugh
2025-26 season stats: 14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists on 49.0/36.7/82.6 shooting splits (75 games played)
Many NBA fans would point to Sensabaugh when asked about a breakout candidate on the Utah Jazz.
He is a tremendous offensive talent, scoring 20 or more points in 24 games last year. He even surpassed the 40 mark twice, once against Chicago in January and again against Minnesota in March.
A year removed from shooting 42.2 percent from three as a sophomore, Sensabaugh is the definition of a spark plug. The main problem with his breakout case is the fact that he likely finds himself in a minutes competition with the other wings on Utah’s bench.
As of right now, there are no signs that indicate which of Josh Green, Josh Okogie, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Sensabaugh will be Will Hardy’s go-to.
If he shows to be the best of that group and can get back to being a 40 percent shooter from behind the arc, Sensabaugh absolutely belongs in this conversation.
Kyle Filipowski
2025-26 season stats: 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists on 49.2/32.5/75.0 shooting splits (77 games played)
Similar to Collier, Filipowski is likely to step into more of a guaranteed role next season. Unless Utah rolls out some small-ball lineups, Flip is maybe the only true power forward on the Jazz’s bench.
And just like Bailey, he has shown that he can affect the game in many ways and rack up stats as a versatile big man.
From year one to year two, Filipowski improved in every single area of his game apart from field goal efficiency. I’ve highlighted individual areas that each player may need to address to reach their next level. However, Filipowski’s best path may just be doubling down on his versatility and making slight improvements across the board once again.
Zooming in, Interior defense and three-point consistency are the swing skills I would focus on for Flip.
But if he can hold his own as a JJJ replacement or even as a Jusuf Nurkic replacement, more minutes will be on the table for Filipowski, and he can take that next step.
New-look Utah Jazz roster:
Guards – Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Isaiah Collier
Wings/Forwards – Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, Josh Okogie, Josh Green, Brice Sensabaugh, Svi Mykhailiuk
Bigs – Jusuf Nurkic, Jaxson Hayes, Mo Bamba
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) August 29, 2026
Are There Any Other Options?
The five names above are arguably the most likely to make a jump next season, but that doesn’t mean someone else can’t become a pleasant surprise.
Jackson Jr. could take the No. 1 option designation, run with it, and return to his former Defensive Player of the Year level as well. Maybe, Lauri Markkanen retains the No. 1 role offensively and makes strides defensively.
Off the bench, Mykhailiuk or one of Utah’s newer additions could prove to be vital pieces and rotation staples.
The first chance to find our answer is closer than it may seem. The Utah Jazz open the 2026-27 season in less than two months against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, October 21.
